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1
as a replacement or equal in value, amount, etc.
- I was going to go out for dinner, but I decided to cook at home instead.
- We had to cancel our trip due to the weather, so we watched a movie instead.
- I didn’t have any milk for my coffee, so I used cream instead.
- She decided to take the bus instead.
Synonyms:
2
in contrast to what was expected or suggested
- He expected her to be upset; instead, she smiled and thanked him.
- The weather forecast predicted rain; instead, it turned out to be a sunny day.
- They thought the project would take months; instead, they completed it in just a few weeks.
- Instead of feeling tired after the long flight, she felt refreshed and ready to explore.
- The team expected to lose the game; instead, they won by a significant margin.
Synonyms: